From 1962, approximately
50,000 Australians, including
ground troops, air force and
navy personnel served in
Vietnam. 520 died and close to
2,400 were wounded.

The images on the video are
from Vietnam Veterans 1 RAR
(1st and 2nd tour of Vietnam)
- Many thanks to Brian Lees,
Tom Smith, Clive Williams and
Rick O'Brien. more

From 1962, approximately
50,000 Australians, including
ground troops, air force and
navy personnel served in
Vietnam. 520 died and close to
2,400 were wounded.

The images on the video are
from Vietnam Veterans 1 RAR
(1st and 2nd tour of Vietnam)
- Many thanks to Brian Lees,
Tom Smith, Clive Williams and
Rick O'Brien.

1 RAR was the first Infantry
Battalion posted to Vietnam.

VIETNAM 1965-66

The Battalion based at
Holsworthy was warned in March
1965 for service in South
Vietnam and after a rapid
preparation departed by
charter aircraft and HMAS
SYDNEY.

After concentration at the
Bien Hoa air base in early
June 1965the Battalion was
placed under command of the
173rd US Airborne Brigade
(Separate) and formed part of
the perimeter for the defence
of the base. This period saw
intensive training with
helicopters and armoured
personnel carriers (APC) and
also patrolling with the US
troops.

On the 25/26 June the
Battalion carried out the
first of many successful
operations against the Viet
Cong (VC) and afterwards in
conjunction with the remainder
of the Brigade conducted
operations in such well known
areas as 'War Zone D', 'Ben
Cat', 'The Iron Triangle' and
other notorious VC areas.

New Years Day 1966 saw the
Battalion open Operation
Marauder in the 'Plain of
Reeds' then from there to
Operation Crimp where it was
the first unit to air assault
into the 'Ho Bo Woods'. It was
later found that the Battalion
had in fact landed on the top
of the underground HQ of the
VC Military Region 4. Many
weapons and some 100,000 pages
of documents were found in the
tunnel complex which was the
deepest and most elaborate
found up to that time.

Until April 1966 operations
continued and included two
with the US 1st Infantry
Division, better known as the
'Big Red One'.

In June 1966 1 RAR returned to
Australia by air and was given
a tremendous ticker-tape
welcome as they marched
through the streets of
Sydney.

The result of the years
operations during the tour
were 128 VC KIA plus a large
number of WIA and PW with own
casualties being 23 KIA and
130 WIA. Decorations for the
period were two DSOs, nine MMs
and seven MIDs

VIETNAM 1968-69

After vigorous training in the
Holsworthy area the 1 RAR
advance party departed Sydney
for Vietnam on the 17th March
1968. The main body, including
130 members who had previously
served in Vietnam, sailed on
the HMAS SYDNEY arriving at
Nui Dat on 9th April 1968 to
relieve 7 RAR.

On 3rd May 1968, after two
short operations the Battalion
commenced Operation Toan
Thang. Initially deployment
was in the Long Khan Province
with a later move to fire
support patrol base (FSPB)
Coral. Following a probing
attack estimated at battalion
strength, 'Coral' was attacked
on 16th May by a Regiment
later identified as the 141
North Vietnam Regiment. Fierce
fighting by the gunners of 102
Field Regiment and 1 RAR
repelled the attack, 'Toan
Thang' produced 162 KIA.

Between July and September,
several operations were
carried out including sweeps
through the Hat Dich, Tua Tich
and Baria areas.

Between 28th September - 12
October the Battalion once
again deployed into the Hat
Dich area. Operation Windsor
was followed by Operation
Capitol a giant allied sweep
through the north-west of
Phouc Tuy Province near the
Mao Tao mountains.

Besides other major
operations, 1 RAR conducted
village cordon and searches,
convoy escort, FSPB
protection, land clearing
protection, extensive TAOR
patrolling and company size
operations.

The Battalion returned home
and marched through the
streets of Sydney on 28th
February 1969. During its tour
of duty, 1 RAR had accounted
for 276 VC KIA, and the
destruction of numerous bunker
complexes and caches, for the
loss of 31 KIA and 165 WIA.

The song on this video is
timeless and honours the
memory of those who have died
in the service and defence of
Australia in war.

Radio stations throughout
Australia have broadcast the
song leading up to ANZAC Day
and Remembrance Day. The song
is also requested to be played
at funerals (for veterans).

You can contact the author of
the song if you would like to
use the song for commemorative
purposes for ANZAC Day and
Remembrance Day. Music sheets
are also available.

Concept, title, lyrics and
copyright owner of the song:
Peter Barnes

You can email the author
(Peter Barnes) at
peterbarnes@iprimus.com.au

You can read about the song at
the website
http://www.users.on.net/revela
tion/heroes.htm Click on the
website and you will find the
link to download the song for
no cost. Don't miss this
opportunity.

Want to know what influenced
the author to write and create
the song? Go to
http://www.users.on.net/revela
tion/Peter.htm

You can also watch a video of
the song relating to WW1 at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=t256Gwcr4k4

You can also watch a video of
the song relating to the
Korean War at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=JYNf5v2VK0c

You can also watch a video of
the song relating to WW2 at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=MeK9oTV37yA

© Peter Barnes 2001 - 2007.
All Rights Reserved. All
content remains the property
of the respective copyright
holders.

Free download.

Remembering the Australians
who gave their all for their
country in Vietnam.

Photos of Australian soldiers
in Viet nam.

Lest we forget.

Category Autos & Vehicles

Tags vietnam, war, tribute, song, music, soldiers, anzac, infantry, veterans, army, australian, sydney, viet, nam, cong, vc, helicopters, free